Marc Hurn, Interim Managing Director of VTG Rail UK, said: “The renewal of this lease demonstrates the value of the long-standing partnership between VTG Rail UK and Tarmac. Retrofitting these wagons with iWagon technology reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in rail freight.”
The JGA-M wagons play a vital role in the transportation of powdered cement from Tarmac’s Dunbar cement plant in Scotland and their Tunstead Quarry in Buxton. Each wagon boasts a gross laden weight of 101.6 tonnes, contributing to Tarmac’s operations across the UK’s rail network. With over 60 rail-connected sites, Tarmac is one of the country’s largest rail freight users, transporting approximately nine million tonnes of high-quality construction materials annually to support regional and national infrastructure projects.
The retrofitting of VTG’s iWagon technology represents a major step forward in the integration of smart systems into Tarmac’s rail operations. Tarmac was a key partner in the successful iWagon trial initiated in 2023. This four month pilot involved the deployment of three modified VTG JPA tank wagons, which underwent testing on Tarmac’s daily service from Dunbar to their Seaham depot in County Durham.
Chris Swan, Tarmac’s Head of Rail, stated: “Rail freight is central to our efforts to drive sustainability and reduce carbon emissions across our business. The renewal of this lease and the addition of iWagon technology will help us further enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of our rail operations.”
Archie Lucas, Sales Manager at VTG Rail UK, added: “This agreement marks a significant milestone as Tarmac places its first order for wagons fitted with iWagon technology. We are proud to work with Tarmac in bringing forward smarter, more efficient solutions that will enhance the performance and reliability of their rail operations.”
Tarmac’s involvement in the iWagon trial and subsequent lease renewal of wagons featuring the technology aligns with its ambition to reduce transport-related CO₂ emissions across its operations. By leveraging smart monitoring and maintenance technologies, Tarmac is paving the way for a greener, more efficient supply chain.
Rory Higgins, Rail Contracts Manager at Tarmac, said: “The successful trial of the iWagon on our flow was a significant achievement. Extending the deployment of this technology to our tank wagon fleet is an exciting step forward as we continue to explore innovative ways to improve rail freight operations.”
This latest agreement reinforces the strong collaboration between VTG Rail UK and Tarmac while highlighting both companies’ dedication to advancing innovation and sustainability within the rail freight industry.